My Profile

Dr Fiona Starr is an historical archaeologist, historian and museum curator, with over 20 years’ experience and a BA (Hons), MA (both USyd), and PhD (Deakin). She has expertise in convict and colonial history/archaeology, Australian architectural and house history, public history/archaeology and heritage site conservation. She was most recently Curator of the World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks Museum and The Mint for Sydney Living Museums, where she researched and wrote texts for the award-winning ‘Convict Sydney’ website, ‘A Day in the Life of a Convict’ education website, and the 2020 renewed museum fit out. She previously worked as a consultant social historian/curator, including experience at various cultural institutions such as the Museum of London, and the World Heritage Centre, Paris. Fiona has a passion for making history accessible, and has completed numerous social history, historical archaeology and house history projects; curated many museum exhibitions and outdoor heritage site interpretation; written historical film and tour scripts; and managed and interpreted museum collections. She writes for general, young and scholarly readers and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, written many popular print and online articles and published books and book chapters on local history, colonial history and cultural heritage conservation.